Inhofe

Chris Casteel, chief propagandist for U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe, published an article in The Daily Oklahoman on Sunday that obviously tries to rehabilitate the senator’s image.

Inhofe, despised throughout the world for his ignorant and outrageous comments about scientific and lifestyle issues, suddenly feels concern for the country’s dilapidated infrastructure, according to the disingenuous article. The article claims Inhofe believes Imperial President George Bush, who plans to veto a bill Inhofe supports, is "dishonest."

According to the article, Inhofe said, "The president knows (a veto) is going to be overridden. But now he can do something for his disappearing conservative base. I think it's dishonest.”

The “dishonest“ and “disappearing conservative base” comments coming from such a right-wing toady is interesting for what it means for the upcoming 2008 elections. But there are larger, more important issues here.

Casteel fails to point out that a vast majority of the civilized world believes Bush has also been dishonest about several other issues, most notably the Iraq occupation, which some predict will cost at least $2 trillion. But Casteel, a useful tool for the neoconservative cause, has never been one to hold his sources accountable to logic or consistency. His coverage of Inhofe is about furthering what one Oklahoman editorial writer once called the conservative bastion in Oklahoma.

Obviously, if the president is dishonest about this issue—Inhofe says the bill he supports does not actually appropriate money—then he might well be dishonest about other issues, right? But Casteel would never ask Inhofe about this inconsistency. Inhofe has supported the bloody Iraq occupation since the invasion and so has The Daily Oklahoman. Here is the real logic: Most people in the world think Bush lied about the Iraq occupation; most people in the world do not think Bush lied about the bill Inhofe supports or they simply do not care at this point. Inhofe also has his own major credibility problems.

But an even larger fallacy here is that Inhofe is actually concerned with the nation’s public infrastructure. As the nation’s bridges and highways crumbled in Oklahoma and the nation over the last decade or so, Inhofe stood back and did nothing. All these corporate, conservative politicians like Inhofe are directly responsible for the decline of America’s infrastructure. They support spending money on endless war as our bridges begin to collapse. They cut taxes to the rich as they deny health care for children. Inhofe is an immoral politician who has placed his own political expediency above the American people. He acts only in the interests of corporations, which fund his campaigns.

And Casteel’s article is completely about political expediency. Inhofe now wants to distance himself from Bush, whose declining approval ratings do not bode well for the senator’s reelection campaign in 2008. Watch for more Casteel articles—Executive Editor Ed Kelley has tried to do the same thing recently with U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn—that try to argue Inhofe is actually concerned about regular Oklahomans after all.

But you are incredibly naïve if you believe Inhofe cares if Oklahomans have decent health care, decent roads and decent schools. His brand of right-wing extremism has turned a once prospering world power into a country that cannot rebuild its cities, such as New Orleans, take care of its bridges or provide adequate health care for its citizens. There is not another current politician in Washington that represents this failed ideology more than Inhofe. On one level, the recent bridge collapse in Minneapolis symbolizes the collapse of Inhofe’s warped philosophy. How many more people are going to have to die before this country wakes up and sends politicians like Inhofe into retirement?

Casteel’s article also never mentions that Inhofe has drawn an opponent in the upcoming 2008 race. State Sen. Andrew Rice (D-Oklahoma City), a Democrat, recently announced he is running against Inhofe. Rice will do more than pull political stunts when it comes to public infrastructure. The state needs to elect more progressive officials like Rice before the next bridge collapses. It could happen here.

Time For A Bully Smackdown

"The truth is incontrovertible; malice may attack it, ignorance my deride it, but in the end, there it is."—Winston Churchill

(We need to get busy if we’re going to defeat U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe in the 2008 election. Take a few seconds to sign the petition and urge state Senator Andrew Rice to run against him.)

One has to wonder if as a child in the 1940s U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe was not the meanest bully on the playground.

Did Jimmy make fun of other kids, pull pigtails, and steal milk money? Did he take homework from other students after beating them up and present it as his own? (This would certainly make sense given his current anti-intellectual crusade about global warming and other issues of our day.) Did he throw tantrums, call people names, stomp his feet, and try to get all the attention?

The point is Jim Inhofe, 73, is a mean, sour bully and probably has always been one. How else can you account for this man’s irrational anger with people who simply believe in the scientific method and want to have a dialogue about the environment? How else can account for his narrow-minded, angry views about contemporary lifestyles and sexual orientation? How else can you account for his sarcastic, backpedaling lies about the Iraq war?

Inhofe The Bully has made Oklahoma a laughingstock in the nation and world. His absurd behavior—and it is getting to the point in which one has to question his mental faculties or at the very least his overall judgment--was featured again as a joke on national television. John Stewart of The Daily Show ran a clip recently in which Inhofe criticized an expert at The Weather Channel for his views on global warming. Inhofe, of course, thinks global warming is a vast, left-wing conspiracy. (Watch the clip here.)

It was hilarious, of course, and there might even have been a day some years ago when Inhofe’s remarks could have been dismissed as the colorful yahooism of a good ol’ boy from Oklahoma. But climate change deserves real discussion and debate in the world. As the former chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Inhofe prevented this country from engaging in an intelligent discussion about the issue for several years. He politicized the issue. He did so as a payoff to energy companies. (Inhofe receives some of the largest campaign contributions from energy companies in the United States Congress, according to sources.) He did so because he is a bully, and bullies never play well with others.

Okie Funk calls for a bully smackdown on Inhofe. Can you imagine the damage to the state’s image if Inhofe is elected to another six-year term? The chamber of commerce types can chirp all they want about economic development and lower taxes for corporations, but do you realize how much Inhofe’s bizarre behavior has cost us already? Inhofe is the albatross around Oklahoma’s neck.

I call on State Sen. Andrew Rice to lead this smackdown by running against Inhofe in the 2008 election. Please sign the petition urging Andrew to run.

Why Does The Corporate Media Ignore It?

The Washington Post today is running a story that shows how nearly 90 White House employees, including Senior Advisor Karl Rove, used political email accounts for official government business.

This email accounts were hosted by the Republican National Committee and apparently violate rules that require the employees use official communication channels to conduct business.

The real gist of story and the larger meaning is the White House is running a secret government that does not allow any immediate or historical public scrutiny. The implications of this practice are enormous. If this practice is allowed to legally stand, government at all levels in this country will be allowed to conduct business outside public purview.

How members of the corporate media or any reasonable person can see this as anything but another step towards secret government, which we might even call fascist, is simply beyond me. I realize The Post did the story, and that is great, but will they press it? Will other corporate media outlets see the danger of this non-partisan issue that threatens democracy? If a Democrat is elected president in 2008, will she or he follow the lead of Bush? Why should only Republicans escape the rule of law?

Bush’s devastating impact on the presidency and on democracy in this country cannot be understated.

Conservative Paradox

Oklahoma Republicans continue to freak me out on a daily basis. On one hand, they were the loudest supporters of the draconian state House Bill 1804, which cracks down on illegal immigrants in the state. It may well be the strictest anti-illegal immigration law in the country. Yet their Most Glorious Imperial President George Bush favors a broad amnesty program for undocumented workers. The GOP here also continues to push some of the strictest abortion laws in the nation. Yet one of the Republican frontrunners for president in the 2008 election, Rudy Giuliani, is definitely and absolutely pro-choice.

But recent GOP, neoconservative ideology has always been based on political expediency rather than consistent values and morality. The basic strategy is to manipulate people with cultural wedge issues in low-education states such as Oklahoma. Frankly, as long as Baptist ministers here continue to teach that Jesus, contrary to the Biblical story, was a petty, vindictive warmonger and hater of gay people, there is little that can be done. This, of course, is the legacy of the late Rev. Jerry Falwell, the freaky fanatic whose recent death was celebrated and mourned across the country. One headline even proclaimed “Ding, Dong, Falwell’s Dead.”

A Tale of Two Commissioners

Meanwhile, in Oklahoma County, another typical Republican, Brent Rinehart, continues to face political corruption charges. I bet County Commissioner Rinehart took notice that a campaign donor, Bob Larkin, just recently pleaded guilty in the case and is fully expected to rat him out to prosecutors. Rinehart and his former campaign manager, Tim Pope, are accused of soliciting excessive campaign donations. Of course, Rinehart claims the charges are politically motivated.

Rinehart needs to do everyone a favor and resign his position. If he is later cleared of the charges, he can have the last word and sue Attorney General Drew Edmondson or whatever, but for now he should step down.

Speaking of Oklahoma County Commissioners, the state’s progressive world was jubilant over the news that Gov. Brad Henry appointed Jim Roth to the Corporation Commission to fill the vacancy created by Denise Bode’s recent resignation. Roth, District 1 commissioner, is an outstanding choice for the position. He has brought integrity and common sense to Oklahoma County government.

Even the archconservative newspaper, The Daily Oklahoman, gave a shoutout to Henry on his decision. Roth, a Democrat and an openly gay man, will bring credibility and people power to the commission.

Proud Pro-Immigration Prattling

Henry continues to prove himself a wise, prudent leader of the state. His appointment of Roth and his vetoes of the initial budget submitted to him, the anti-abortion bill that discriminates against impoverished women, and a corporate lawsuit immunity measure, show Henry stands up for fairness, progress, and ordinary Oklahomans.

The governor did sign the illegal immigration bill, but let’s face it, the bill was veto proof and the majority prevailed. As much as some political activists railed against the bill (and it was way too late and too little from my point of view), they didn’t do much to consistently and appropriately explain to Oklahomans the illogical arguments made by the GOP. Now they’re complaining. I have been arguing on this blog and in the Oklahoma Gazette for the last two years that the local GOP arguments are extremely weak on this issue. (This is a federal issue; illegal immigrants contribute to the economy; local priests need to speak up, etc.) But I received not one positive comment or letter of support or encouragement. I did receive hate mail, angry letters to the editor at the Gazette, and threatening phone calls, though. Two callers even threatened to get me fired from my job for supporting the plight of undocumented workers. So these local pro-immigration activists like to throw around the word “racist” quite a bit, especially on the Democrats of Oklahoma Community Forum, but here’s the deal: They’re not going to be there for you if you speak out in favor of their position. You might ask: Why speak out for ungrateful people who won’t even post their hateful comments under real names? It’s problematic, true, and a typical Okie spectacle. It’s a perfect example of why thinking people move from this place in droves.

I will continue to speak out for undocumented workers here, of course, but I have real doubts the pro-immigration lobby in this state can accomplish anything positive at all. I also think this lobby group threatens to divide the state’s progressives with anger and sanctimonious posturing. Some people in this group have made supporters who are on their side and willing to speak out on this issue extremely angry, and they continue to do so. What do they expect to gain with this strategy? Maybe they're GOP-sponsored moles, people who have sold out, or maybe they're just stupid.

Inhofe Supporters Deserve High Gasoline Prices

Okie Funk decrees that anyone who has voted for U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe is not allowed to complain about the state’s high gasoline prices, which are way over $3 a gallon right now. Inhofe is a shill for big oil companies because he gets lots of campaign money from them. He, and a handful of other Republican politicians who are merely tools of big oil, are absolutely personally responsible for $3.25 gasoline in this state.

Here is the deal: Gas prices would not be this high if Inhofe hadn’t pushed the oil company agenda when the Republicans recently dominated the federal government. He could care less how much money it costs you to get to work or school. People should laugh in the face of anyone who claims the oil companies or Inhofe can’t help how much gasoline costs. All the energy companies are reporting record profits.

As former chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Inhofe could have been promoting a sensible energy policy to keep gas prices down, but he chose to embarrass the state with wild, unsupported comments about how global warming is a “hoax.”

OEA Lawsuit Kaput?

Here is a fact I challenge anyone to dispute: Oklahoma has never funded its schools appropriately. Never. The Daily Oklahoman can say all it wants about how we need to increase college education rates, but it will never happen without a real financial commitment to education here.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court, in a terrible, anti-education decision, recently threw out an Oklahoma Education Association lawsuit demanding adequate funding for schools. It upheld an earlier court ruling dismissing the suit. The lawsuit, no matter what its eventual outcome, should have been heard because it had real, tangible merit. It could have been a starting point for a real discussion about education funding here. You won’t get that here, though.

This is an important issue for the state, but the justices decided it would be best to shut up teachers and other educators in the state. And we’re going to improve our educational systems here by not allowing educators access to our court system on this significant issue?

Every kid going to school here will suffer because of this decision.